A Tale of Deception

  MONEY CAN’T BE loved without greed. Greed comes with the affliction. But, when does its sickness transform a trustworthy man into a dishonest one?

  Perhaps when justifications form in the mind with unreasonable reasoning… when desire clouds common sense… and coveting another’s possessions fills one’s soul.

  Once there, standing on the edge of the precipice, coveting what is desired, it’s only a small step over the edge of trustworthiness onto the slippery slope of dishonesty.

  The conscience is deadened with false validations, a lie is told, and a document is forged. Embezzlement arises. The arrogant, selfish victim of greed is caught in its grip.

  Is escape possible? Sometimes, if morality is strong enough, fear of discovery looms, and restitution is made.

  But victims seldom escape. Greed holds them fast with offers of more to come. Time deadens the conscience, turns the heart to stone. The longer deceit lives, the more likely greed will endure, grow and consume its prey. And, to what degree will the victim of greed go, to avoid exposure… lie, steal, or even kill?

  It started that way for Peter Lawrence.

  Through his continued pursuit of money, his greed prevented him from taking his eyes off of his possessions and looking at the people around him, with their eternal riches they could impart to him. He was easily blinded to his wife’s devotion and love, to his friends, to those who cared about him.

  His desire for more hindered his company, to a lesser degree, as well. He gave no thought to the irreplaceable contributions of his excellent employees. He gave no attention to their skills that secured the quality of his company, helping it to prosper and grow. Health-care benefits were not offered, bonuses never given, and pay raises were rare, because he couldn’t afford it. He couldn’t see how their welfare reflected on the health and prosperity of his company, and the community around him. He gave little, to keep as much as he could hold.

  But the biggest hazard for Peter was his inability to be content. He should have been, with the millions he earned every year, with his devoted wife and their luxurious home, with all that he truly had.

  But with greed living in his heart, he could not see the trap that was about to ensnare him, and bring him to his doom. If he could have seen the consequences of his choices, would he have chosen differently? Probably not... like a moth drawn to a flame, neither would realize what awaited them, until it is too late. Sabine Celeste Stoughton was Peter’s flame.

 

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